10 things to do in Milan in 2019: places, events and attractions

Are you planning a trip to Milan? Here is the complete guide to the events and attractions of the Lombard capital: discover what to do in Milan in 2019.

Once upon a time, it was said that Milan had a double soul: either you hated it, or you loved it. Today, having undressed the clothes of the purely business city, Milan is a city to be loved and discovered from top to bottom. Because if until a few years ago, Milan was certainly not at the top of the list of the Italian cities to visit, today it attracts more and more tourists, intrigued both by the new urban structure and by its strongly cosmopolitan vocation. Not just work or business: in 2019 Milan becomes an exceptional tourist destination. Because there are so many things to do in Milan: exhibitions, walks, city parks, events, and concerts are just some of the pleasant activities that the city can offer.

We can't help but start from the historical roots of the city: because the range of things to do in Milan, even in 2019, cannot go without a discovery of its urban fabric, which is dotted with beautiful buildings, majestic basilicas, mighty castles, and beautiful skyscrapers. Because if the Milanese take the architectural beauty of the city a little for granted, the tourists who visit Milan can’t help but be enraptured by it. A must on a trip to Milan are undoubtedly the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, the Teatro alla Scala, and the Castello Sforzesco. Located a few steps from each other, visiting them you can lead you to discover the glories of the past, which the city has renovated over time in its most modern areas. As in a bridge between past and future, in Milan the ancient lives in close contact with a contemporary in a continuously evolving setting: all you have to do is visit Piazza Gae Aulenti, a meeting point between the historic center and new splendor of the city. Here, in the epicenter of Milan's modernity, you can admire the new architectural aspects of the city, those that rise upwards with the Unicredit Tower and the Vertical Forest. And if you're not tired of you looking upward to the sky, we recommend a visit to the brand-new City Life complex, designed by the famous architects Arata Isozaki, Daniel Libeskind and Zaha Hadid.

2. The art exhibitions in Milan in 2019

Art has a home in Milan. And in fact, among the things to do in 2019 we cannot fail to include some of the most important art exhibitions in the city. Let's start with "A visual protest. The Art of Bansky" scheduled at the Mudec in Milan until April 14. This is the first Italian monographic exhibition dedicated to the English artist whose identity is unknown to date.

We then continue with Roy Lichtenstein, one of the greatest exponents of American pop art. Scheduled to take place at the Mudec from 1 May to 8 September 2019, the exhibition will feature a reinterpretation of the artist's work, with a major focus on his inspirational models.

And when it comes to art blending with science and technology, one cannot but speak of Leonardo. In 2019, in fact, Milan will be the scene of the "Leonardo da Vinci Parade", designed to celebrate the artist and scientist 500 years after his death. At exceptional locations, ranging from the Castello Sforzesco to the Museum of Science and Technology, visitors can discover the genius of Leonardo in all its forms.

3. Music: concerts in Milan in 2019

Milan is also a very active city when it comes to music. And 2019 is no different. Among the things to do in the city, therefore, you definitely can’t miss out on attending one of its many concerts. And since it would be impossible to list all the concerts that are scheduled to take place in Milan in 2019, we will only list of the names of the events and the most important Italian and international artists who will perform in the capital of Lombardy.

Let's start with Vasco Rossi who, with his VascoNonStop Live tour 2019, will be coming to Milan with six dates, quite obviously, of course, at the San Siro stadium, from 1 to 12 June. The Milanese music season continues with the Milano Summer Festival which, with a constantly updated line-up, will spark up the lives of locals and tourists alike with live music: from Metallica to Kiss up to Ben Harper, there are still many artists who remain to be announced for the joy of everyone.

In mid-May, instead, Milan takes on a musically soft atmosphere thanks to Piano City: on 17, 18 and 19 May 2019, the Lombard capital becomes the city of the piano par excellence. Music will be the real protagonist and will resonate in the most unusual places. Parks, markets, trams and private houses become an exceptional stage for budding pianists and great musicians. A truly magical event not to be missed.

4. Events in Milan in 2019: the Salone del Mobile and the Fuori Salone

And in Milan, which is constantly on the move, a host of other events are scheduled to take place, even in 2019, that will animate the city from month to month. Let's start with the Salone del Mobile (also known as the Milano Design Week) which, from 9 to 14 April 2019, will attract many design enthusiasts to the city: during the event, Milan will come alive with the eclectic Fuori Salone, a melting pot of side shows related to the theme of design that, at various locations throughout the city, will allow visitors (and locals as well) to enjoy days full of appointments, between one aperitif and another.

5. Literary events in Milan in 2019: Bookcity Milan

Lovers of books cannot help but to love Bookcity Milan: November becomes the month in which the capital of Lombardy, for three days, comes alive in a whirlwind of events related to the theme of books and literature. From meetings with the authors to seminars on new reading practices, from exhibitions and shows that focus on the beauty of the book to more classic presentations, Bookcity Milano is the perfect event for all lovers of books and reading as well as for all those who want to experience something a little different in the city.

6. Food events in Milan in 2019: Milan Food City

May is a month that will be particularly appreciated by gourmets and lovers of good food: because from 7 to 13 May, the city will be the site of the Milan Food City, the largest city event dedicated to food. During the seven days dedicated to the event, there will be many gastronomic events throughout the city, both in the strict sense and in the broad sense of the term. In addition to the Taste of Milano, an event in which visitors can taste delicious dishes at low prices, there will also be many events in which food and nutrition will be analyzed from an artistic and scientific point of view.

7. Milan and the theater: stages not to be missed in 2019

Milan is also the city of theater and musicals and is home to, as already mentioned, the Teatro alla Scala and the incredible stage glories. Among the things to do in Milan in 2019, you simply can’t miss the beautiful evenings at the theater. And since it would be extremely difficult to capture the vast range ofTheatrical events in Milan in just a few lines, we suggest that you take advantage of the offers of Invitation to Theatre, a program managed by the Cultural Association Theaters for Milan thanks to which you can attend the shows of the major Milanese theaters at an exceptional price.

Theater lovers will not want to miss the exhibition at the Palazzo Reale dedicated to Paolo Grassi, founder and director of the Piccolo Teatro - the first public theater in Italy - and supervisor of the Teatro alla Scala from 1972 to 1977. Entitled "Paolo Grassi...without a madman like me, with no feigned modesty a poet of the organization", the stage enactment prepared for visitors is a narrative journey aimed at telling the story of the professional and human life of this artist, who has given so much to the culture of the city.

8. Milan and its spas: relax in the shadow of the Duomo

Milan does not just stand for events, aperitifs, art and music. Today the capital of Lombardy also becomes a destination for wellness seekers. Between an exhibition and an event, you can also take some time off for yourself to relax your mind and body. Which is why, among the things to do in Milan in 2019, you can’t afford to miss a beautiful day at the spa. QC Terme Milano is the perfect place to discover a new side of the city, one that is more intimate and relaxed. Here, inside a beautiful Art Nouveau building surrounded by 16th century walls, you can immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere, where water is the protagonist. From bio-sauna to hammam, from whirlpools to water jets, let time stop for a moment. It's just going to be all about you for a change, with Milan in the backdrop.

9. Things to do in Milan: gazing the stars at the Civico Planetario

Let's leave behind the regenerating power of the spa to immerse ourselves in an even more magical world: the sky and its stars. Among the things to do in Milan, you can’t miss a visit to the Planetarium of Milan, the largest in Italy. All you have to do is sit on armchairs from another era and admire the celestial vault, faithfully reproduced with vivid realism. Located in the gardens of Porta Venezia, the Planetarium of Milan can accommodate up to 375 people. Every year it attracts many visitors interested in guided observations of the sky, themed lectures and special events in which astronomy is skillfully mixed with art, literature and music.

10. Milan for free: what to do in 2019 without spending a dime

Few people know it, but Milan is an open-air museum. It is enough to just walk through the streets of the center to breathe the magic of a city that is always on the move. Among the things to do in 2019, you can’t miss a walk down those streets where you can enjoy the atmosphere of Milan without spending a dime.

From a walk on the Navigli at sunset to the splendid garden of Villa Necchi, from the cloister of the State University of Milan to the beauty of "getting lost" in the narrow streets of Brera, in Milan you can also breathe an unusual tranquility, much loved by the true Milanese. If you want to admire the city from above, you can go to the 39th floor of Palazzo Lombardia: every Sunday, in fact, you can enjoy an exceptional perspective on the city entirely for free. An opportunity not to be missed: Milan, even from above, is beautiful.